Effect of Certain Concentrations of Fluoride On Enamel and Dentin as Formed in Transplants of Tooth Germs and Related Studies

Abstract

NaF or CaF2, reagent grade, diluted to 1:50,000 or 1:75,000 was given via drinking water and 1:1000 dilutions were used for injns. Retardation of mineralization or of calcification of tooth germ transplants was evident when fluorides were given to the hosts. Significantly, expected revision of dentin into osteoid-like tissue did not take place when fluorides had been given over longer periods. Instead, cartilage-like formations were frequently observed in association with dentin as formed in these transplants. Both CaF2 and NaF appeared to have a similar effect on the tooth germ transplants. Daily injns. of CaF2 (0.15 cc. of 1:1000 dilution) were given to Norwegian white rats and the effect on the ameloblasts and odontoblasts of the incisor teeth (mandibular) was observed. Among other things there was alteration in the cuticular structure of ameloblasts. Expected keratinous formations generally observed when tooth germs were treated with methylcholanthrene before transplantation were lacking when the hosts were given fluorides. An increased number of lymphocytes appeared near transplants when fluorides had been administered. Animals receiving fluorides also appeared more fertile, appeared to have larger litters and more of the new born failed to survive in these instances, expecially when CaF2 had been given to the litter mothers.